
TOLANDA OF 
CTPRUS 

CALE rOUNG RICE 




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YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 



BY 

CALE YOUNG RICE 

AUTHOR OF 

CHARLES DI TOCA, A NIGHT IN AVIGNON 

DAVID, ETC., ETC. 



X , f^-V > 



NEW YORK 

THE McCLURE COMPANY 

MCMVIII 



Copyright, igo8, by The McClure Company 



Published, March, 1908 



^UBnARY of CO hi ii*--: ESS 
Two Copies rttsc«Jv.. 

APR 18 1900 

I oo y^, '^;- , -J 






ACT I 



CHARACTERS 



Renier Lu 


signan . . A Descendant of the Lusignan 
Kings of Cyprus 


Berengere 


:, ... His Wife 


Amaury 


His Son, Commander of FamO" 

gouste under the Venetians 


YOLANDA 


The Ward of Berengere^ betrothed 

to Amaury 


Camarin 


A Baron of Paphos, Guest in the 

Lusignan Castle 


VlTTIA PiSj 


VNI . . . » A Venetian Lady^ also a Guest 


MORO . 


. . . . A Priest 


Hassan 


Warden of the Castle 


Halil . 


His Son^ a Boy 


Tremitus 


A Physician 


Olympic 




Alessa . 


-V 


Maga . 

CiVA . 


V Berengere* s Women 


Mauria 


. ^ 


Smarda 


Slave to Vittia 


Pietro 


In Vittia's pay 



Priests, Acolytes^ etc. 



Time — The Sixteenth Century 
Flack— The Island of Cyprus 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Scene: A dim Hall, of blended Gothic and Sara- 
cenic styles, in the Lusignan Castle, on the 
island of Cyprus near Famagouste. Around 
the walls, above faint frescoes portraying the 
deliverance of Jerusalem by the Crusaders, 
runs a frieze inlaid with the coats-of-arms of 
former Lusignan kings. On the left, and back, 
is a door hung with heavy damask, and in the 
wall opposite, another. Farther down on the 
right a few steps, whose railing supports a 
Greek vase with jasmine, lead through a chapel 
to the sleeping apartments. In the rear, on 
either side, are guled lattice windows, and in 
the centre an open grated door, looking upon 
a loggia, and, across the garden below, over 
the moonlit sea. Seats are placed about, and, 
forward, a divan with rich Turkish coverings. 



4 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

A table with a lighted cross-shaped candlestick 
is by the door, left; and a lectern with a book 
on it, to the front, right. As the curtain rises, 
the Women, except Civa, lean wearily on the 
divan, and Halil near is singing dreamily: 
Ah, the balm, the balm, 
And ah, the blessing 
Of the deep fall of night 
And of confessing. 
Of the sick soul made white 
Of all distressing: 
Made white ! . . . 
Ah, balm of night 
And, ah the blessing! 
[^The music falls and all seem yielding to 
sleep. Suddenly there are hoof-beats 
and sounds at the gates below. Halil 
springs up. 
Halil. Alessa! Maga ! Voices at the gates! 

{^All start up. 

Some one is come. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 5 

'Alessa. Boy, Halil, who? 

Halil. Up, up ! 

Perhaps lord Renier — No: I will learn. 

[He runs to curtains and looks. 

It is Olympio ! Olympio ! 

From Famagouste and lord Amaury ! 

Mauria. Ah ! 

And comes he here? 

Halil. As he were lord of skies ! 

To lady Yolanda, by my lute ! 

Maga. Where is she? 

Alessa. I do not know; perhaps, her chamber. 

Mauria. Stay : 

His word may be of the Saracens. 

Halil {calling). Oho! 

[He admits Olympio, who enters insolently 
down. All press round him gaily. 

Mauria. Well, what, Olympio, from Fama- 
gouste ? 
What tidings? tell us. 



6 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Maga. See, his sword! 

Olympio, Stand off. 

Mauria. The tidings, then, the tidings ! 
Olympio. None — for women. 

Mauria. So-ho, my Cupid? None of the Sara- 
cens? 
Of the squadron huddling yesterday for haven 
At Keryneia? 

Olympio. Who has told you? 
Mauria. Who ? 

A hundred galleys westing up the wind. 
Scenting the shore, but timorous as hounds. 
A gale — and twenty down ! 
Maga. The rest are flown? 

Olympio. Ask Zeus, or ask, to-morrow, lord 
Amaury, 
Or, if he comes, to-night. To lady Yolanda 
I*m sent and not to tattle, silly, here. 

[He starts off, hut is arrested by laughter 
within. It is Civa who enters, hold- 
ing up a parchment. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 7 

O ! Only Civa. 

IStarts again with Halil. 

Civa. How, Olympio! 

Stay you, and hear ! — May never virgin love him ! 
Gone as a thistle! (turns). 

Mauria. Pouf! (laughs). 

Alessa (to Civa). Now what have you? 

Civa. Verses ! found in the garden. Verses ! 
verses ! 
On papyrus of Paphos. O, to read! 
But you, Alessa — ! 

Alessa (takes them). In the garden? 

Civa. By 

The fountain cypress, at the marble feet 
Of chaste Diana ! 

Maga. Where Sir Camarin 

And oft our lady — ! 

Civa. Maga, will you prattle? 

Read them to us, Alessa, read them, read. 
They are of love ! 

Maga. No, sorrow. 



8 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Civa. O, as a nun 

You ever sigh for sorrow ! — They are of love ! 
Of princes bursting through enchanted bounds 
To ladies prisoned in an ogre's keep ! 
Then of the bridals ! — O, they are of love ! 

Maga. No, Civa, no ! — of sorrow ! see, her lips ! 
l^She points to Alessa, who, reading, has paled. 
See, see ! 

Civa. Alessa ! 

Alessa. Maga — Civa — Ah ! 

{^She rends the parchment. 

Mauria. What are you doing? 

Alessa. They were writ to her\ 

Mauria. To her? to whom? what are you say- 
ing ? Read ! 
Read us the verses. 

'Alessa. No. 

Mauria. Tell then his name 

Who writes them, and to whom. 

Alessa. I will not. 

Mauria. Then 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 9 

It is some guilt you hide ! — And touching her 
You dote on — lady Yolanda! 

Alessa. Shame \ 

Mauria. Some guilt 

Of one, then, in this castle ! — See, her lips 
Betray it is. 

Maga. No, Mauria! no! no! {holds her) hush! 

IForms appear without.. 

Mauria. O, loose me. 

Maga. There, on the loggia ! Hush, see — 

Our lady and Sir Camarin. 

Alessa (fearful). It is. . . . 

They heard us, Maga? 

Maga. No, but 

Mauria (to Alessa). So? that mouse? 

Alessa. You know not, Mauria, what thing you 
say. — 
He is troubling her ; be still. 

{Stepping out as Berengere enters. 

My lady? 



lo YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Berengere {unwillingly). Yes. 

It is time, now, for your lamps, 

And for your aves and o'erneeded sleep. 

But first I'd know if yet lord Renier 

{^Sees Alessa's face. 
Why are you pale? 

Alessa. I ? 

Berengere. So — and strange. 

Alessa. We have 

But put away the distaff and the needle. 

Camarin enters. 

Berengere. The distaff and the needle — it may 
be. 

And yet you do not seem 

Alessa. My lady — ? 

Berengere. Go. 

And send me Hassan. 

\The women leave. 

Camarin — ^you saw? 
They were not as their wont is. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS ii 

Camarin. To your eyes. 

My Berengere, that apprehension haunts. 
They were as ever. Then be done with fear! 

Berengere. I cannot. 

Camarin. To the abyss with it. To-night 

Is ours — Renier tarries at Famagouste — 
Is ours for love and for a long delight ! 

Berengere. Whose end may be — 

Camarin. Dawn and the dewy lark! 

And passing of all presage from you. 

Berengere (sits). No: 

For think, Yolanda's look when by the cypress 
We read the verses ! And my dream that I 
Should with a cross — inscrutable is sleep ! — 
Bring her deep bitterness. 

Camarin. Dreams are a brood 

Born of the night and not of destiny. 
She guesses not our guilt, and Renier 
Clasps to his breast ambition as a bride — 
Ambition for Amaury. 



13 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Berengere. None can say. 

He's much with this Venetian, our guest. 
Though Venice gyves us more with tyranny 
Than would the Saracen. 

Camarin. But through this lady 

Of the Pisani, powerful in Venice, 
He hopes to lift again his dynasty 
Up from decay; and to restore this island. 
This verdure-dream of the seas, unto his house. 
'Tis clear, my Berengere ! 

Berengere. Then, her design? 

And, the requital that entices her? 

[Rises. 

Evil will come of it, to us some evil. 
Or to Yolanda and Amaury's love. — 
But, there; the women. 

Camarin. And too brief their stay. 

What signal for to-night? 

Berengere. Be in the garden. 

Over the threshold yonder I will wave 
The candle-sign, when all are passed to sleep. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 13 

Camarin. And with the beam I shall mount up 
to you 
Quicker than ecstasy. 

Berengere. I am as a leaf 

Before the wind and raging of your love. 
Go — go. 
Camarin. But to return unto your breast! 

{He leaves her by the divan. 
[The women re-enter with silver lighted 
lamps; behind them are Hassan and 
the slave Smarda. They wait for 
Berengere, who has stood silent, to 
speak. 
Berengere {looking up). Ah, you are come; I 
had forgotten. 
'And it is time for sleep. — Hassan, the gates: 
Close them. 
Hassan. And chain them, lady? 
Berengere. Wait no longer. 

Lord Renier will not come. 
Hassan. No word of him? 



14 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Berengere, None, though he yesterday left 
Nicosie 
With the priest Moro. 
Hassan. Lady — 

Berengere. Wait no longer. 

Come, women, with your lamps and light the way. 
[The women go by the steps. Berengere fol- 
lows. 
Hassan {staring after her). The reason of this 
mood in her? the reason? 
Something is vile. Lady Yolanda weeps 
In secret ; all for what ? By God ! the Paphian ? 
Or she of Venice? {sees Smarda). Now slave! 

Scythian ! 
Why do you linger? 

Smarda. I am bidden — (snarls) by 

My mistress. 

Hassan. Spa ! Thy mistress hath, I think. 
Something of hell in her and has unpacked 
A portion in this castle. Is it so? 
Smarda. My lady is of Venice. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 15 

Hassan. Strike her, God. 

Her smirk admits it. 

Smarda. Touch me not! 

Hassan. I'll wring 

Your tongue out sudden, if it now has lies. 
What of your lady and lord Renier? 

Smarda. Off ! 

Renier enters behind, with Moro. 

Hassan. Your lady and lord Renier, I say! 
What do they purpose? 
Smarda. Fool-born ! look around. 

Hassan. Not till 

Smarda. Lord Renier, help. 

Hassan. What do you say? 

ITurns, and stares amazed. 

A fool I am . . . 

Renier, Where is my wife? 

Hassan. Why, she . . . 

This slave stung me to pry, 

Renier, Where is my wife? 



i6 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Hassan. A moment since she left — the women 
with her. 
She asked for your return. 

Renier. And wherefore did? 

Hassan. You jeer me. 

Renier. Answer. 

Hassan. Have you not been gone? 

Renier. Not — overfar. Where is Yolanda? — 
Well? 
No matter; find my chamber till I come. 
Of my arrival, too, no word to any. 

[Hassan goes, confused. 
You, Moro, have deferred me; now, I move. 
Whether it is suspicion eats in me. 
Mistrust and fret and doubt — of whom I say not. 
Or whether desire, and unsubduable. 
To see Amaury sceptred — I care not. 

\To Smarda. 
Slave, to your lady who awaits me, say 
I'm here and now have chosen. 

Moro. Do not ! 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS ?7 

Renter. Chosen. 

[Smarda goes. 
None can be great who will not hush his heart 
To hold a sceptre, and Amaury must. 
He is Lusignan and his lineage 
Will drown in him Yolanda's loveliness. 

Moro. It will not. 

Renier. Then at least I shall uncover 

What this Venetian hints. 

Moro. Sir ? 

Renier. I must know. 

Moro. 'Tis of your v/ife? — ^Yolanda? 

Renier. Name them not. 

They've shut me from their souls. 

Moro. My lord, not so; 

But you repulse them. 

Renier. When they pity. No, 
Something has gone from me or never was 
Within my breast. I love not — am unlovable. 
Amaury is not so. 
And this Venetian Vittia Pisani 



i8 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Moro. Distrust her ! 

Renier. She has power. 

Moro. But not truth. 

And yesterday a holy relic scorned. 

Renier. She loves Amaury. Wed to her he will 
Be the elected Governor of Cyprus. 
The throne, then, but a step. 

Moro. But all too great. 

And think; Yolanda is to him as heaven: 
He will not yield her. 

Renier. Then he must. And she. 

The Venetian, has ways to it — a secret 
To wrench her from his arms. 

Moro. Sir, sir? — of what? 

Renier. I know not, of some shame. 

Moro. Shame ! 

Renier. Why do you clutch me? 

Moro. I — am a priest — and shame 

Renier. You show suspicions. 

[ViTTiA enters unnoted. 
Of whom? — Of whom, and what? 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 19 

Vittia (lightly). My lord, of women. 

[Renier starts and turns. 

So does the Holy Church instil him. 

Renier. You 

Come softly, lady of Venice. 

Vittia. Streets of sea 

In Venice teach us. 

Renier. Of what women, then? 

My wife? Yolanda? 

Vittia. By the freedom due us. 

What matters it? In Venice our lords know 
That beauty has no master. 

Renier. Has no . . . That, 

That too has something hid. 

Vittia. Suspicious lord ! 

Yet Berengere Lusignan is his wife ! 
And soon Yolanda — But for that I'm here. 
You sent for me. 

Renier (sullen), I sent. 

Vittia. To say you've chosen? 



20 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

And offer me irrevocable aid 
To win Amaury? 

Renter. All is vain in me 

Before the fever for it. 

Vittia. Then, I shall. 

It must be done. My want is unafraid. 
Hourly I am expecting out of Venice 
Letters of power. 

And what to you I pledge is he shall be 
Ruler of Cyprus and these Mediterranean 
Blue seas that rock ever against its coast. 
That do I pledge . . . but more. 

Renter. Of rule? . . . Then what? 

Vittia {going up to him). Of shame withheld 
— dishonor unrevealed. 

\^As he recoils. 

Hush ! there are steps. 

{The slave re-enters. 

Smarda ? 
Smarda (quickly). My lady! 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 21 

Vittia. Speak. 

Smarda. I've erred; she's not asleep. 

Vittia. Who ?— Ah ! Yolanda ? 

Smarda, Yes; she is coming! 

Renter. Ha ! 

Vittia. My lord ! 

Renier. I'll stay, 

Stay and confront her. 
Vittia. Ignorantly ? No. 

Renier. I'll question her. 

Vittia. Blindly, and peril all? 

Renier. I will return. You put me off, and off. 

[^3; the loggia, with Moro, he goes; the 
slave slips out. Yolanda enters, 
sadly, her gaze on the Ho or. She 
walks slowly, hut becoming conscious 
starts, sees Vittia, and turns to with- 
draw. 

Vittia. Your pardon — 

Yolanda. I can serve you? 



22 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Vittia. If you seek 

The women, they are gone. 

Yolanda. I do not seek them. 

Vittia. Nor me? 

Yolanda. Nor any. — Yet I would I might 

With seeking penetrate the labyrinth 
Of your intent. 

Vittia. I thank you. And you shall, 

To-night — if you have love. 

Yolanda. That thread were vain. 

Vittia. I say, if you have love. 

Yolanda, Of guile? 

Vittia, Of her 

You hold as mother, and who is Amaury's. 

Yolanda. Were it so simple, all designs that 
ever 
Laired in you, would to my eyes have been as clear 
As shallows under Morpha's crystal wave. 

Vittia. Unproven you speak so. 

Yolanda, And proven would. 

Vittia. If so, then — save her. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 23 

Yolanda. Who? What do you — ? (stops). 

Vittia (with irony). Mean? 

It is not clear? 

Yolanda. Save her? 

Vittia. The surety flies 

Out of your cheek and dead upon your heart: 
Yet you are innocent — oh innocent! — 
O'er what abyss she hangs ! 

Yolanda. O'er no abyss. 

Vittia. But to her lord is constant! 

Yolanda (desperate). She is constant. 

Vittia. And to his bed is true! 

Yolanda. True. 

Vittia. And this baron 

Of Paphos — Camarin — is but her friend, 
And deeply yours — as oft you feign to shield her ! 

Yolanda. He is no more. 

Vittia. Your heart belies your lips. 

Knows better than believing what you say. 

Yolanda. Were, were he then . . . (struggles) 
lord Renier knows it not! 



24 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

And never must. I have misled his thought 

From her to me. The danger thus may pass. 

The open shame. 

Sir Camarin departed, her release 

From the remorse and fettering will seem 

Sweet as a vista into fairyland. 

For none e'er will betray her. 

Vittia. None ? 

Yolanda. Your tone . . . ! 

{Realising.) The still insinuation! You would 

do it! 
This is the beast then of the labyrinth ! 
And this your heart is ! 

Vittia. No, not ever: no. 

But now, if you deny me. 

Yolanda. Speak as a woman. 

If there is womanhood in you to speak. 
The name of Berengere Lusignan must 
Go clean unto the years, fair and unsullied. 
Nor must the bloody leap 
Of death fall on her from lord Renier's sword. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 25 

A death too ready if he but suspect. 

No, she is holy ! 

And holy are my lips 

Remembering that they may call her mother ! 

All the bright world I breathe because of her. 

Laughter and roses, day-song of the sea. 

Not bitterness and loneliness and blight ! 

All the bright world, 

Of voices, dear as waking to the dead — 

Voices of love and tender earthly hopes — 

O, all the beauty I was once forbid! 

For O !— 

She lifted me, a lonely convent weed, 

A cloister thing unvisited of dew, 

Withering and untended and afar 

From the remembered ruin of my home, 

And here has planted me in happiness. 

Then, for her, all I am ! 

Vittia. Or — hope to be? 

Yolanda. The price, say, of your silence. — I am 
weary. 



a6 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Vittia. And would be rid of me. 

Yolanda. The price, the price. 

Vittia. It is {low and ashamed) that you re- 
nounce Amaury's love. 

\^A pause. 

Yolanda. Amaury's love. . . . You then would 
rend me there 
Where not Eternity could heal the wound 
Though all the River of God might be for balm ! 
Cruelty like to this you could not do? 

[Waits a moment. 
A swallow on the battlements to-day 
Fell from the hawk: you soothed and set it free. 
This, then, you would not — ! 

Vittia. Yes. 

Yolanda. You cannot ! 

Vittia. Yes. 

Yolanda {wrung for a moment then calm). 
I had forgotten, you are of Venice — Venice 
Whose burdening is vast upon tliis land. 
Good-night. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 27 

Vittia. And you despise me ! 

Yolanda. More I loathe 

That love of him has led your thought so low. 

lis going. 

Vittia. Stay ! If you leave and do not choose 

at once — 

\_Sounds are heard at the gates. 

Who's that? . . . {starts). Amaury? . . . You've 

expected him? 

[The chains fall. 

Your purpose, then ! Is it now to renounce 
And force him from you or to have me breathe 
To Renier Lusignan the one word 
That will transmute his wrong to madness? 
Say it ! For centuries have stained these walls 
But never a wife; never — 

Enter Berengere. 

Yolanda. Mother? . . . 

Berengere. Amaury 

Has spurred to us, Yolanda, from his post. 



28 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

And is below. But . . . what has befallen? 

\_Looks from one to the other. 

Yolanda. He comes here, mother? 

Berengere. At once. 

Yolanda {in dread). Ah! 

Berengere. Child? . . . 

Vittia (to Yolanda). To-night 

Must be the end. 

Yolanda. Go, go. 

Berengere (as Vittia passes out). What thing 
is this? 

Yolanda. Mother, I cannot have him — ^here — 
Amaury ! 
Defer him but a little — till to-morrow. 
I cannot see him now. 

Berengere. This is o'erstrange. 

Yolanda. Help me to think. Go to him, go, 
and say- 
Some woman thing — that I am ill — that I 
Am at confession — penance — that — Ah, say 
But anything! 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 29 

Berengere. Yolanda ! 

Yolanda. Say. . . . No use. 

Too late. 

Berengere, His step? 

Yolanda. Oh, unmistakable; 

Along the corridor. Go ! 

[The curtains are thrown back. 

Amaury {at the threshold). My Yolanda! 

{Hastens down and takes her, passive, in his 
arms. Berengere goes. 
My, my Yolanda! . . . 

\Kisses her. 

To touch you is as triumph to the blood. 
Is as the boon of battle to the strong! 

Yolanda. Amaury, no; release me and say why 
You come: The Saracens — ? 

Amaury. Not of them now ! 

[Bends back her head. 

But of some tribute incense to this beauty, 
Dear as the wind wafts from undying shrines 



30 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Of mystery and myrrh ! 
I'd have the eloquence of quickened moons 
Pouring upon the midnight magicly, 
To say all I have yearned, 

Now, with your head pillowed upon my breast ! 
Slow sullen speech, come to my soldier lips. 
Rough with command, and impotent of softness ! 
Come to my lips ! or fill so full my eyes 
That the unutterable shall seem as sweet 
To my Yolanda. But . . . how, how now? tears? 

[Lifts her face, 

Yolanda. Amaury 

Amaury. What have I done? Too pronely 
pressed 
You to this coat of steel? 

Yolanda. No, no. 

Amaury. My words. 

Or silence, then? 

Yolanda. Amaury, no, but sweet, 

Sweet as the roses of Damascus crusht. 
Your silence is ! and sweeter than the dream 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 31 

Of April nightingale on Troados, 

Or gushing by the springs of Chitria, 

Your every word of love ! Yet — yet — ah, fold me, 

Within your arms oblivion and hold me, 

Fast to your being press me, and there bless me 

With breathed power of your manhood's might. 

Amaury ! . . . 

Amaury, This I cannot understand. 

Yolanda {freeing herself). Nothing — a folly — 
groundless frailty. 

Amaury. You've been again at some old tale 
of sorrow, 

IGoes to the lectern. 

Pining along the pages of a book — 

This, telling of that Italy madonna 

Whose days were sad — I have forgotten how. 

Is it not so ? 

Yolanda. No, no. The tears of women 
Come as the air and sighing of the night, 
We know not whence or why. 



32 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Amaury. Often, perhaps. 

I am not skilled to tell. But never these ! 
They are of trouble known. 

Yolanda. Yet now forget them. 

Amaury. It will not leave my heart that some- 
how — ^how 
I cannot fathom — Camarin 

Yolanda (lightly, to stop him). No farther! 

Amaury. That Camarin of Paphos is their 
cause. — 
Tell me 

Yolanda. Yes, that I love thee! 

Amaury. Tell me 



Yolanda. Love thee! 

As sea the sky ! and as the sky the wind ! 
And as the wind the forest! As the forest — 
What does the forest love, Amaury? I 
Can think of nothing! 

Amaury. Tell me then you have 

Never a moment of you yielded to him, 
That never he has touched too long this hand — 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 33 

Till evermore he must, even as I — 

Nor once into your eyes too deep has gazed! 

You falter? darken? 

Yolanda. Would he ne'er had come 

Into these halls ! that it were beautiful. 
Holy to hate him as the Lost can hate. 

Amaury. But 'tis not? 

Yolanda. God shall judge him. 

Amaury. And not you? 

Yolanda. Though he is weak, there is within 
him — : 

Amaury. That 

Which women trust? and you? 

[Berengere enters. He turns to her. 

Mother ? 

Berengere. A runner, 

A soldier of your troop within the forts 
Has come with word. 

Amaury (starting). Mother! 

Berengere. It is ill news? 



34 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

I've seen that battle-light in you before. 
'Tis of the Saracens? you ride to-night 
Into their peril? 

Amaury. Come, the word, the word ! 

Berengere. Only this token. 

Amaury. The spur? the spur? {Takes it.) 

They then 
Are landing! 

Yolanda. How, Amaury ; tell your meaning ! 

Amaury. The galleys of the Saracens have found 
Anchor and land to-night near Keryneia. 
My troops are ready and await me — 
So I must speed. 

Yolanda {with strange terror). I pray you, do 
not go. 

Amaury. Yolanda ! 

Yolanda. If I am left alone — ! 

Amaury. Yolanda ! 

Yolanda {sinking to a seat). I meant it not — a 
breath of fear — forget — 
And go. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 35 

Antaury, I know you not to-night. Farewell. 
[He kisses her and hurries off. ... A silence. 

Berengere. Yolanda 

Yolanda, Mother, I will go to sleep. 

[She rises. 

Berengere, A change has come to you — a dif- 
ference 
Drawn as a veil between us. 

Yolanda. I am weary. 

Berengere. You love me? 

Yolanda. As, O mother, I love him. 

With love impregnable to every ill. 
As Paradise is. 

Berengere. Then — 

Yolanda. I pray, no more. 

To-night I am flooded with a deeper tide 
Than yet has flowed into my life — and through it 
Sounds premonition: so I must have calm. 

[She embraces Berengere; goes slowly up 
steps and off. 



36 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Berengere {chilled). What fear — if it is fear — 
has so unfixed her? 
Is it suspicion? Then I must not meet 
Him here to-night — or if to-night, no more. 
Her premonition ! — and my dream that I 
Should with a cross bring her deep bitterness. 

\Thinks a moment, then takes the crucifix from 
her neck. 
Had Renier but come, perhaps I might . . . 

ILays it on table, 
O were I dead this sinning would awake me ! . . . 
And yet I care not (dully). . . . No, I will forget. 
IGoes firmly from door to door and looks 
out each. Then lifts, unnoting, the 
cross-shaped candlestick; and waving it 
at the loggia, turns holding it before her. 
Soon he will come up from the cool, and touch 
Away my weakness with mad tenderness. 
Soon he will . . . Ah! 

[Has seen with terror the candlestick's struc- 
ture. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 37 

The cross ! , . . My dream ! . . . Yolanda ! 

\_Lets it fall. 

Mercy of God, move in me ! . . . Sacrilege ! 

[Sinks feebly to the divan, and bows, overcome. 
Camarin {appearing after a pause on the loggia). 

My Berengere, a moment, and I come ! 

[Enters, locking the grating behind him. 
Then he hurries down and leans to 
lift her face. 

Berengere. No, no ! nor ever, ever again, for 

ever! 

[Shrinks. 

Go from me and behind leave no farewell. . . . 

Camarin. This is — ^illusion. In the dew I've 
waited. 
And the night's song of you is in my brain — 
A song that seems 

Berengere. Withhold from words. At last 

Fate is begun! See, with the cross it was 



38 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

I waved you hither. Leave me — let me pass 
Out of this sin — and to repentance — after. 
Camarin. I cannot, cannot! 
Berengere. Pity, then, my fear. 

This moment were it known would end with mur- 
der, 
Or did it not, dishonour still would kill ! 
Leave, leave. 
Camarin. To-morrow, then; but not to-night! 
IHe goes behind and puts his arms around her. 
Give me thy being once again, thy beauty. 
For it I'm mad as bacchanals for wine. 

[YoLANDA, entering on the balcony, hears, 
and would retreat, but sees Renier 
come to the grating. 
Once more be to me all that woman may ! 
Let us again take rapture wings and rise 
Up to our world of love, guilt would unsphere. 
Let us live over days that passed as streams 
Limpid by lotus-banks unto the sea. 
O'er all the whispered nights that we have clasped 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 39 

Knowing the heights and all the deeps of passion! 
But speak, and we shall be amid the stars. 

[Renier draws a dagger and leaves the 
grating. With a low cry Yolanda 
staggers down: the Two rise, fearful. 

Berengere. Yolanda ! 

Yolanda, Mother, mother ! . . . Ah, his eyes ! 

Berengere. What brings you here — to spy upon 

me? 
Yolanda. Listen ! . . . 

Think not of me — no, hush — ^but of the peril 
Arisen up . . . Your husband ! 

Camarin. Renier ? 

Yolanda. Was at that grating — heard. And 
from its sheath 
Drew forth a dagger ! — Ah ! 
Berengere {weakly). What does she say? 

Yolanda. Find calmness now, and some expedi- 
ent. 

\_She struggles to think. 

Berengere. I cannot die. 



40 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Yolanda. No, no. 

Berengere. My flesh is weak, 

Is poor of courage — poverished by guilt, 
As all my soul is ! But, Yolanda, you — ! 

Yolanda. Yes, something must be done — some- 
thing be done. 

[Camarin goes to the curtains and returns. 

Berengere. The shame . . . the shame . . . the 
shame ! 

Yolanda. There yet is time. 

Berengere. You can deliver! you are innocent. 

Yolanda. Perhaps. Let me but think. — He 
came 

Berengere. You see? 

There is escape? a way from it? 

Yolanda. Perhaps. 

He came after your words . . . yes . . . could not 

see 
Here in the dimness . . . but has only heard 
Sir Camarin ... 

Berengere. I do not know ! 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 41 

Yolanda. Go, in . . . 

Up to your chamber and be as asleep. 
There is a way — I think — dim, but a way. 
Go to your chamber; for there yet may be 
Prevention ! 

Berengere, I — yes, yes. 

Yolanda. There is a way. 

[Berengere goes. 
Strength now to walk it ! strength unfaltering. 

Camarin. What do you purpose? 

Yolanda. Here to take her place. 

Here at the lowest of her destiny. 

Camarin. I do not understand. 

Yolanda. But wholly shall. 

Clasp me within your arms; he must believe 
'Tis I and not his wife you have unhallowed, 
Your arms about me, though they burn ! and breathe 

me 
Thirst of unbounded love as unto her. 

IHe clasps her, and they waif. 
Ah, it is he! 



42 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Camarin. No. 

Yolanda. Yes, the words ; at once ! 

Camarin (hoarsely). With all my body and soul- 
breath I love you, 

[Renier enters with Moro. 
And all this night is ours for ecstasy. 
Kiss me with quenchless kisses, and embrace 
Me with your beauty, till 

[Yolanda with a cry, as of fear, looses 
herself, pretending to discover Renier, 
who is struck rigid. 

Mora. My lord, my lord ! . . . 

It is Yolanda. 
Renier. Then — 

IThe dagger falls from him. 
Why, then — Amaury ! 

[Yolanda, realising, stunned, sinks back to the 
divan. 

Curtain 



ACT II 



Several Days Have Elapsed 

Scene: The forecourt of the castle, beyond which 
is the garden and in the distance the moun- 
tains, under the deep tropical blue of morning. 
On the right the wall enclosing the castle 
grounds runs back and is lost in the foliage 
of cypress, palm, orange; it is pierced by an 
arched gate with lifted portcullis. On the left 
rises the dark front of the castle, its arabesqued 
doorway open. Across the rear a low arcaded 
screen of masonry, with an entrance to the 
right, separates the court from the garden. 
Before it a fountain, guarded by a statue of a 
Knight of St. John, falls into a porphyry basin. 
By the castle door, to the front, and elsewhere, 
are stone seats. Hassan is standing moodily 
by the screen, left, looking out the portcullis. 
He starts, hearing steps, and as the old leach 
Tremitus enters, motions him silently into the 



46 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

castle; then muttering " the old blood-letter," 
stands as before, while Civ a, Maga, and 
Mauria are heard in the garden, and enter 
gaily bearing water-jars to the fountain. Civa 
sees his look and breaks into a twitting laugh- 
ter. The other two join her. 
Civa. Look at him ! Maga ! Mauria ! behold ! 
Was ever sight so sweet upon the world? 
Is he not very Joy? 

Mauria {critically). Now, is he not? 
With the price of vinegar upon his face. 

\^All laugh. 
The price of vinegar ! who'll buy ! — Not I ! 
Not I ! Not I ! Not I ! 

Hassan. Wench. 

Civa. Verily ! 

And not a man ! he has discovered it ! 
You're not a man, Mauria ! we were duped. 

[Mauria slaps her playfully. 
But see him now — a mummy of the Nile ! 
Who died of choler ! 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 47 

Mauria. Then, a care, he'll bite. 

He's been in the grave a long while and he's hungry. 
A barley-loaf, quick, Maga ! 

Civa. To appease him ! 

But s-sh ! beware ! there's something of import. 

[They stop in mock awe before him. 

What does he think of? 

Mauria. Sphinxes and the spheres. 

Civa. Or little ants and gnats that buzz about 
him. 

Mauria. And how to make them smart for sauci- 
ness. 

Civa. Or of Alessa! 

Maga. No, no, Civa ! come ; 

Enough of teasing. 

Civa. Of Alessa ! 

Maga. No. 

Your pitcher, come. He's troubled by the tale 

Of lady Yolanda 

And waits for lord Amaury from the battle. 



48 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Civa. The — ! heigh ! heigh-o ! awaits ! la, la ! he 
does! 

[Hassan starts at her tone. 

For lord Amaury! does he so indeed? 

Hassan. What do you know? Be silent. 

Civa. Ho ! 

Hassan. Itch ! would 

You have lady Yolanda hear? She comes 
Now, as she has this morning thrice, to ask. 

[Yolanda appears on the threshold with 
Alessa. 

Lord Renier . . . remember, if she learns ! 

[Civa Hoiits him, but goes to the fountain. 
The others follow, fill their jars, and, 
singing, return to the garden. Yo- 
landa then crosses to Hassan, who 
waits evasive, 

Yolanda. My want is still the same— words are 

unneeded. 
Hassan. To know of lord Amaury? 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 49 

Yolanda. Lord Amaury — 
He has not yet returned? 

Hassan {loathly). I have not seen him. 
Yolanda. Nor heard? 

Hassan. Nothing. 

Yolanda. I cannot understand. 

{Goes to the gate, troubled. 

Hassan (low). Liar that I am to say it! 
Yolanda. I cannot — cannot ! 

[Returns. 

The Saracens we know were routed to 
Their vessels — all the Allah-crying horde. 

And lord Amaury — said the courier not? 

Rode in the battle as a seraph might 
To the Holy Sepulchre^s deliverance. 
And yet no word from him. 

Hassan. Perhaps — with reason. 

{She looks at him quickly — he Pushes. 

With reason ! . . . knowing, lady, what, here, now, 



50 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Is rumoured of a baron 

And lady Yolanda ! . . . Pardon ! 

Yolanda (slowly). Of a baron 

And lady Yolanda. 

Hassan. Yes: it is the women 

Who with their ears ever at secrecy 
Rumour it. But, lady, it is a lie? 
This Camarin, this prinker, 

Whose purse is daily loose to us. ... I curse him ! 
His father . . . Well, my mother's ten years dead, 
Stained, as you know — 
And flower-lips breathe innocent above her. 
But I'll avenge her doom. 

Yolanda. On — ^whom ? 

Hassan (points castlewards). On him! 

So you, who do not hush this tale of you. 
Though it is truthless — ^hear: 
I have a stab for Camarin of Paphos 
Whenever he has lived — but say ! — too long. 

Yolanda (who has listened rigidly. After a 
pause). 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 51 

Come here , . . look in my eyes, and— deeper . . . 

Shame ! 

IQuells him. 

Pity alone we owe to sin not blame. 

And they who love may stray, it seems, beyond 

All justice of our judging. — 

Is evil mad enchantment come upon 

The portals of this castle? 

Hassan. I would serve you. 

Yolanda. With murder? no. But if you would 
indeed, 
As oft you have 

Hassan. Lady, I will. 

Yolanda. Then watch 

The Venetian, and when Amaury comes 
Find me at once. What sound was that? ... A 

bugle ? 
It is! it is! Alessa! (Overjoyed.) Do you hear? 
His troop ! Amaury's ! O the silver chime ! 
Again I breathe, I breathe! 
My heart as a bird of May! 



52 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Amaury ! . . . Come ! we'll go to him ! we'll go ! 
Before any within Lusignan — ! 

Alessa. Lady ! 

Yolanda. At once ! it rings again ! again ! we'll 



go! 



Alessa. And tell him? 

Yolanda. Warn! Warn him a fever's here 

That he must fend his ear from. 'Twill suffice. 
And I again shall see him, hear him speak, 
Hang on his battle-story blessedly ! 
And you, Hassan. . . . But why do you stand 

stone ? 
You know something. . . . He's dead ! 

Hassan. No, lady, no. 

Yolanda. Not? ah! . . . then what? 'Twas not 
his trumpet? 

Hassan {after, a struggle). No. 

And I will lie to you no longer; 
Though for obedience it be or life ; 
And at lord Renier's command. ... It is 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 53 

Not true that lord Amaury from the battle 
Has not returned. 

Yolanda. But he — ^you mean — is here? 

^Stands motionless. 

Hassan. He came ... on yesterday ... at 
dusk. Was led 
Up to his chamber . . . 
So much lord Renier who slipt him in 
Revealed, that I might guile you. 

Alessa {sharply). And you have? 

Hassan. Yes. 

Alessa. Though you boasted love to me? 

Hassan. Now, woman ! 

Alessa. Lady, I would have wed him — wed this 

toad! 

\_Stingingly. 

Who'd kill the Paphian, too ! 

Hassan. Yes ! 

Alessa, Worm! with dust? 

Heeling away from him ? 



54 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Yolanda. Be still, be still. 

[Alessa turns to her. 
These words can wait on what may yet be helped. 
This may undo me ! First of all I should 
Have seen Amaury! Now ! 

Hassan, The Venetian ! 

{They start. Vittia enters from the castle. 
Lady, I will go in. 

Alessa. And I; to wait. 

\They go. 

Yolanda {suddenly). But I to see Amaury. 

Vittia. What? (stops). 

Yolanda. To see, 

Vittia Visani, who withholds Amaury — 
Who came last night at dusk, as well you know. 

IThey face, opposed. 
What have you told him? 

Vittia. Ha ! 

Yolanda. Insolence, false 

And feigning! But no matter; lies are brief. 
I'll go myself to him. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 55 

Vittia. To be repelled? 

Berengere enters, 
Yolanda. If he could trust you — ^but he could 

not. 
Vittia. Knowing 

A Paphian ere this has fondled two? 

Yolanda. You hear, mother? {To Vittia). 

Out of my way at once. 
Berengere. Stay, stay! She has not told him! 
nothing! . . . Yes, 
I too have been aware and kept you blind. 
For he was overworn, and still is, much. 

But now his wound 

Yolanda. Wound! he is wounded? 

Berengere. He sleeps. 

Yolanda. And is in danger — ^jeopardy? 
Berengere. In none; 

If the leech Tremitus has any skill; 
And that you know. 

Yolanda. I thank . . . Madonna . . . thee! 

[Vittia laughs and goes. 



$6 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

But you, mother, are come at last to say 
Your promises, broken two days, are kept? 
You've spoken? won lord Renier to wisdom? 
Pled him to silence which alone can save us? 
Dear mother ? 

Berengere. Do not call me so again. 

\_Turns away. 
I have not — and I will not. 

Yolanda. Oh ! 

Berengere. I cannot. . . . 

Yolanda. But can leave me so laden here within 
This gulfs dishonour? Never! ... So return 
And pledge him but to wait ! 
For this Venetian has now, I bode, 
Something of evil more. 

When once Amaury hears all that has passed. 
Return ! 

Berengere. I cannot. 

Yolanda (stung). Then hear, hear me! I 

Too am a woman, and the woman wants, 
The beauty and ache and dream and glow and urge 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 57 

Of an unreckoned love are mine as yours. 
I will not lose Amaury; but will tell him 
Myself the truth. 

Berengere. Then — I'll not stay for death, 

And wait for shame. But now with Camarin 
Will go from here. 

Yolanda, Mother ! 

Berengere. To some retreat 

Away ! 

Yolanda. Where still pursuit would follow ! 
even, 
I fear, Amaury's? — 
And overtake you though it were as far 
As the sea foams, or past the sandy void 
Of stricken Africa? It would be vain. 

Vain, and I cannot have you. No, but listen 

[Breaks oif seeing Renier, on the castle 
threshold. His look is on her, hut he 
comes down addressing Berengere. 

Renier. She troubles you too much. 

Berengere. My lord? 



S8 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Renier. Too much. 

You cherish her and reap unchastity 
For gratitude — unchastity against 
Our very son who was betrothed to her. 
Yet see her shameless. 

Berengere {dully). No; I think you wrong her. 

[YoLANDA moves apart. 

Renier. Nobly you pity ! But it will not veil her. 
Rather the convent and the crucifix. 
Matin and Vesper in a round remote, 
And senseless beads, for such. — But what more now 
Is she demanding? 

Berengere, Little. 

Renier. Not the means 

Still to deceive Amaury? 

Berengere. Renier . . . no. 

{^Speaks loathly. 
But I have a request that, if you grant, 
Will lead peace back to us . . . and from us draw 
This fang of fate. 

Renier. Ah. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 59 

Berengere. Yes. 

Renter {slowly). And we might be 

As those that wedded love ? 

Berengere. Perhaps. 

Renter. That — love ! 

[^A pause. 
Then it shall be, at once . . . But no, I first 
Have a confession. 

Berengere. You ? 

Renter. A pang ! — For days 

[Takes her hand. 
Before I found Yolanda on the breast 

Of Camarin of Paphos 

I suffered in the furnace of suspicion 
The fume and suffocation of the thought 
That you were the guilty one — ^you my own wife. 
[She recoils to Yolanda, who comes up. 
I did ; but rue, rue it ! . . . 

. . . Yet — it is just 
That you recoil even as now you do 
From stain upon your wedded constancy. . . . 



6o YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

And time that is e'er-pitiful must pass 
Over it — 

Before there is forgiveness. And perhaps 
Then I shall win you as I never have. — 
Now the request. 

Berengere. That now ... I cannot plead. 

l^Sees YoLANDA harden. Is impelled. 
And yet I must ... It is that, till I bid, 
Amaury may not know of this . . . not know 

This trouble fallen from a night of evil 

Pitiless on us as a meteor's ash. 

Renter. Not of it? he? not know? 

Berengere. Trust to me. 

Renter. How ! 

And to this wanton's perfidy to bind 
Him witless to her — ^with a charm perhaps — 
Or, past releasing, with a philtre? She 
Whom now he holds pure as a spirit sped 
From immortality, or the fair fields 
Of the sun, to be his bride? 

Yolanda. Sir, no ! . . . She means 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 6i 

Not I shall wed him! (Winningly.) Only that 

you spare 
To separate us with this horror; that 
You trust me to dispel his love, to pall 
And chill his passion from me. For I crave 
Only one thing — innocence in his sight. 
Believe ! — believe ! 

Renier, I will — ^that you are mad. 

Yet madder I, if to this murk my brain 
Were blind. 

Yolanda. As it will be ! in deadlier dark, 
If you attend me not! 
And may have destiny you cannot know. 
But you will heed? 

For somewhere in you there is tenderness. 
Once when you chafed in fever and I bore 
White orange blossoms dewy to your pillow 
You touched my hand gently, as might a father. 

{Caresses his. 
Once on the tower when alone at dusk 
I sang — I know not why — of lost delights, 



62 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Of vanished roses that are e'er recalling 
May to the world, you came and suddenly 
Lifted my brow up silent to your kiss. 
Ah, you remember; you will hear me? 

Renter. No ! 

Though you are cunning. — Thus you wove the mesh 
About Amaury — till he could not move 
Beyond you. 

Yolanda, For his sake I ask it. 

Renter, For 

No sake but to o'ersway him with your eyes 
In secret, thus, and with 
Your hair that he believes an aureole 
Brought with you out of Heaven. 

Berengere. Again — wrong. 

Renter, So deem you and, my Berengere, I 
grieve, 
Desiring much your peace. 

Berengere, It grieves you not. 

Renter. Then not ! and half I fear — you hear ? 
— it should not. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 63 

There's midnight in this thing and mystery. 
Does she not love — Camarin? 

Yolanda (trembling). Say no more. 

Be all — all as you will. 

Renter. That brings you low: 

But brings to me no light — only again 
The stumbling in suspicion. 

Yolanda. It should not. 

Renier {with a sudden gleam). 
To-morrow then, unless Amaury runs 
Fitting revenge through Camarin of Paphos, 
Your lover, you shall clasp him openly 
Before all of Lusignan. 

Yolanda. No ; no, no ! 

The thought of it is soil ! . . . Rather . . . his 
death! 

Renier. What, what? 

Berengere. My lord, she knows not what she 
says. 
The unaccustomed wind of these ill hours 
Has torn tranquillity from her and reason. 



64 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Yolanda (realising). Yes, as she says — ^tran- 
quillity and reason. 

[Strains to smile. 

These hours of ill ! 
Renter, I'll send her Camarin. 

[Goes, looking steadfastly hack. 

Yolanda {turning, then, to Berengere). 

His mood and mien — that tremor in his throat, 
Unfaltering. I fear him. 

Berengere. Life is fear. 

No step was ever taken in the world 
But from a brink of danger, or in flight 
From happiness whose air is ever sin. 
It sickens me. 

Yolanda. Mother ! 

Berengere. Nothing; a pain 

Here in my breast. 

[Sits. 

Yolanda. And it is all through him 

Who as a guest came pledged into this house. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 65 

Came with the chivalry and manly show 
Of reverence and grace, that he too well 
Has learnt in cunning lands and used to lure. 

[Camarin appears from garden. 

Ah, and he seeks us now ! unwhelmed of it ! 
Ready of step, impassive, cold ! And see — 

[Camarin bows forcedly. 

A flawless courtesy ! as of a king ! 
Can he not smile too on his handiwork? 
Our days were merciful and he has made 
Each moment's beat a blow upon the breast. 
Honour was here and innocence lies now 
A sacrifice that pain cannot consume. — 

Camarin. Or death. 

t 

Yolanda. Then have you not, unshameable ! 

A help for it or healing? you who know 
So well the world and its unwonted ways ! 
A man would have, a man. 

Camarin. And I am barren. 



66 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

My brain an arid waste under remorse. 
Only one thing it yields — ^the love of her 
My love has made unholy. 

Yolanda. While to me 

The shame is left, and silence — no defence. 
When it is told Amaury, " See her you 
Blest with betrothal and the boon of faith, 
Chose as the planet-mate of your proud star ! 
While, in the battle. 

You with the weal of Cyprus on your brow 
Dared momently peril, 

We found her "... Ah, the memory is fire ! 

I will not bear it. 

Camarin. Then how? what? . . . You 

must. 

Though for your suffering I am pitiful. 

You must! 

[Takes her wrist. 

For to one thing, one only now I'm bent 

That Berengere be saved. 

Berengere, To-day ... no more. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 67 

Camarin. Suspicion and the peril-feet of shame 
I must keep from her still. 

Yolanda. Though driven o'er 

My heart they trample the lone flower of hope. 

{Shaking oif his hand, then, unnaturally 
wrought up. 

And even now perhaps Amaury hears 
And turns away in horror ! 

Camarin. What? Come, come. 

Enough is here without 

Yolanda (as before). I'll go to him! 
Despite of them ! in to his side and say 
That I am innocent — as the first dawn 
And dew of Eden ! . . . Yes ! 

Camarin. A frenzy ! Mere 

Folly ! you wander ! 

Yolanda (suddenly). That was anguish? whose? 

{Is hauntedly listening. 



68 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Camarin. Amaury still is many leagues away — 

[Hassan appears. 
At Keryneia ! Do you hear me ? 

Yolanda. Hassan ! 

\_Is numb as he hurries down from the cas- 
tle to her. A pause; then her voice 
falls hoarsely. 
I hear you, speak. His wounds I know. The rest ! 
They've told him? 

Hassan. The Venetian, who nursed him 

Last night, pouring his potions — 
She and lord Renier. They broke his sleep. 
He listened to them as one in a grave. 
Then they besought of him 
Some oath against you, were they right: he would 

not. 
Now he has risen. 

Silent and pale and suffering; in leash. 
He's coming here. 

Camarin. Why, you are mad ! 

Yolanda. Be still. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 69 

Camarin. Amaury was not then delayed? is — 
here? 

{Voices are heard perturbed within the 
castle. Then Amaury, putting aside 
Renier and Tremitus, followed by 
ViTTiA and others, enters down. 
Amaury. I'll not return unto my couch though 
twice 
These wounds and all your wants were urging it ! 
Yolanda ! my Yolanda ! — Never, never ! 

[Takes her to him. 
Until I prove you that a word against 
Her that I hold here in my arms is more 
To me than any peril. 

Tremitus. But, sir — ! , . . Aeih I 

My precious physic wasted! 

Amaury. Till I prove it! 

For . . . my Yolanda ! . . . 
You who are purity if Mary still 
Is mother of God and lighteth Paradise ! 
You in whose presence I am purged as one 



70 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Bathing a thousand years in angel song! 

They say, you, who are stainless to my eyes 

As is the sacring-bell to holy ears, 

So undefiled even the perfect lily 

Pendent upon your breast fears to pollute it ! 

Listen, they tell me you — A fool, a fool 

Would know it unbelievable and laugh. 

Renter. As now a fool is doing? 

Amaury. O, sir, pardon. 

You are my father, and, I must believe. 
Mean well this monster breath's unchastity, 
As does this lady {of Vittia) who has gently 

nursed me. 
But you were tricked; it was illusion swum 
Before your sleep. Therefore my purpose is 
Now to forget it. 

Tremitus. Aieh ! and to return 

Now to my drugs. 

Renter. Stand off ! — As dogs forget 

The lash in hunger of the wonted bone ? 

^Laughs angrily. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 71 

Amaury. A poison so incredible and dark 
You cannot duped inoculate me with. 
Trust in my veins makes of it but more love. 
And to dispel your minds (goes to Camarin) I'll 

clasp his hand 
Whom you have so accused. 

Vittia. O do, my lord ! 

\_Smiles disdainfully. 

And then embrace him in whose arms three nights 
Ago she was embraced. 

Yolanda {to her). Can you so say! 

Vittia. Yes, and will add 

'Amaury. Lady of Venice, nothing I 

But this to all, I answer! — 
There is my mother, see. 

Wounded with wonder of this plight, and pity. 
Yolanda has dwelt by her 
As the fawn 

By the white doe on mount Chionodes. 
I would as quick believe that she had given 



72 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Her holiness up to contamination 
As that Yolanda 

Yolanda. Amaury, enough ! . . . I know ! 

Amaury. As quickly ! 

Yolanda. Then . . . quell this delirium! 

\_A pause. 
Out of your thought forever let it fall, 
Hear no more of it, ever ! 
Be deaf to it as to a taunt of doom. 
In triple mail to every peaceless word. 
Granite against even its memory. 
Say that you will, and now ! . . . 

Renter. So that you may 

Allure him yet to wed you? 

Amaury. Sir ! 

Renter. She would. 

Yolanda. No, no ! But let him. . . . Then I 
will go far 
Away from here to any alien air, 
To opiate India, a lost sea-isle ! 
To the last peak of arid Caucasus. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 73 

Renier. With Camarin of Paphos? 

Yolanda. With whoever 

Your peace and this compelling pain. . . . Ah 
no! 

Renier. With him, with him, I say? . . . 

Amaury. You drive and drain her. 

To me her words shall be — me and no other. 
So my Yolanda now dissolve the cling 
Of this invisible but heavy hydra; 
I've striven with it till no more I can. 
If any tare has been unseemly sown 
Upon the April vision of our love, 
Say it at once that I may rend and fling it 
Away from us. Say it! 

Renier. Vainly implored. — 
Yet ask her this, If she three nights ago 

Amaury. I will not so insult her. 

Tremitus, Aieh 



Renier. Insult ? 

She knows what I would bid and does she hurl 
Her soul in any disavowal? 



74 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Amaury. I 

Will speak to her alone. Go, all of you. 
There to the fountain. 

Yolanda. Yes, Amaury, then 

One searching of my face shall free your fear. 
Alone, alone. 

Renter, Still to befool him! 

Yolanda (warningly). Choose! 

I cannot suffer more of this. 

Amaury. Nor I 

To breathe ever the burning of this mist 
Of anguish and insatiate accusal. — ^ 
This wound upon my throat, fever it not 
With longer fire of doubt, Yolanda. 

Yolanda. Ah ! 

Berengere. I am not well. I will go to my 

chamber. 

[She passes into the castle. 

Renier. But I never until this guiler grants 
I found her in the arms of Camarin, 
Drinking the frenzied wine of passion 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 75 

He poured from his soul. 

Amaury, Yolanda ? 

Renier, She is silent ; 

Dumb to deny it. 

Amaury, But she will, she will. 

You've driven her with dread and awe. 

Vittia (lightly). And truth? 

Amaury, Have wounded her. But do not fear, 

Yolanda ; 
Fiercely disown. 

Yolanda, Amaury ... it is true. 

\_He staggers slowly back. 

No, no; I have not been faithless to you — 

Even a moment 

To the divinity of love high-altared 

Here in my breast ! to the immutable 

Beauty of it! . . . look, look not on me so— 

As if I had struck, murdered a little child! 

Or palsied one who put a hand to help me; 



76 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Or through eternity had desecrated. 
Vainly, virginity and trust and truth ! 
No, my Amaury ! I ... do you not see ? 

IHysterically. 

Not faithless, hear ! it is not true ! not true I 
But only this 

Camarin. Yolanda ! 

Yolanda. I 



Camarin. Yolanda ! 

l^A moment, then she sinks down, her face 
in her hands. Amaury groans; then 
starting goes fiercely to Hassan, and 
taking his sword recrosses trembling 
to Camarin. 

Amaury. The day you first set step in Lusig- 
nan 
An image of the Magdalen within 
The chapel yonder fell — presaging this. 
Only your death, your death or mine stands pale 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 77 

Between us now, awaiting silently. 
Draw, and at once. 

Camarin. Amaury, I will not. 

Amaury. Out, quickly. 

Camarin. Do your will. I'll put no more 
To the guilt I bear, or to the misery 
That guilt has brought upon you. 

Amaury. Coward ! 

Camarin. Strike ! 

Amaury. You play a part! (Raves.) And 'tis 
that you may live 
Still in the love that you a thief have stolen. 
So, with your steel ! 

Camarin. It stays within its sheath. 

Amaury. Then I will not be thwarted though I 
must 
Crush you as one a viper with his heel. 
Though I must take your leper throat into 
My hands and strangle life from it! 
For the same sky you breathe I will not. 
The sun that falls upon you shall not foul 



78 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

My being — 

Though I must go down into hell for it. 

IHe starts, frenzied, to strike, hut suddenly 
staggers; then clasps at his throat, 
drops the sword, and sinks down 
moaning. 
Yolanda. His wound ! 
Tremitus. Aeih, aeih ! at last. 

Yolanda, Amaury ! Oh ! 

[Runs to him, 'He struggles to his feet, 
Amaury ! Amaury ! 
Amaury. Stand away from me. 

[She falls hack; he laughs in derision, 
I to believe her pure as my own mother! 
Vittia. Had you but trusted me, Amaury. 
Amaury, You ? 

{Looks long at her. 
Henceforth I will. 

Vittia. And wholly? 

Amaury (significantly). She . . . shall do it. 

[Starts into the castle. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 79 

Yolanda (dauntedly). Amaury! what is this? 

Vittia. That, ere a dawn. 

Guileless Yolanda, you shall wed with him 
Your paramour of Paphos 

Yolanda. Camarin ? 

Vittia. And from these gates be led wanton 
away. 

[Yolanda, for a moment whelmed, tries 
to laugh scorn; hut, turning, her eye 
meets Renier^s full of suspicion. He 
follows Amaury meaningly into the 
castle. 

Curtain 



ACT III 



The Same Day 

Scene: The Hall and loggia of Act I; hut toward 
sunset, and afar, on the Hushed sea, are seen 
the Hsher-hoats returning pale-winged to shore. 
In the left distance, also, a portion of Fama- 
gouste is visible above the waves — its orient 
walls and towers, white domes and houses, 
interspersed with tall palms. The interior of 
the Hall is the same; only the divan is placed 
to the front and left, the lectern near the bal- 
cony leading to the sleeping apartments and to 
the chapel. Smarda is lying lithely on the 
divan, beguiled with her charms and amulets, 
and from time to time giving a low, sinuous 
laugh. ViTTiA enters, watches a moment, 
thoughtful, then advances. 

Vittia. Smarda 



Smarda {springing up). Lady . . . your slave! 



84 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Vittia. I think you are. 

Think that you are — if ever the leopard yields. 

Smarda. To you, lady ? A-ha ! let him refuse. 
Command ! 

Vittia. And you will heed it well ; I fear not. 

But first I have thought of requital. 

Smarda {avidly) , Ouie! 

Vittia. Those amulets you wear, of jade and 
sard — 

Smarda {quickly dark). Are for revenge — to 
bring revenge ! 

Vittia. And from 

Your Scythian home, over the hated sea. 
They came with you. 

Smarda. Yes. 

Vittia. From the home whence you 

Were torn by the Moor who was your one-time 

master. 
Is it not so? 

Smarda. The spirits strangle him ! 

[Works at the charms. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 85 

Vittia. Well, if I win to-night what is begun 
You shall not want, to-morrow. 
Gold for a weightier witchery upon him. 

IThe slave's eyes gleam. 
But listen, every sinew will be needed 
Still to achieve this wedding, though we have 
Camarin with us, willing. So I've learned 
A ship has come from Venice. 

Smarda ( quickly ) . Pietro ? 

Vittia. Yes, Pietro, it must be, has arrived 
With papers that will help. 

Smarda. Ha ! Fortune's touch ! 

Vittia. It is, but tardy. Therefore I must have 
Them instantly. 

Smarda. Ere he has time, lady. 

To vaunt his loves, in Lusignan, and babble. 

Vittia. As, wooing dolt, he will. But see to it. 
I shall be in this place with lord Amaury, 
Whom I must . . . but no matter. 
He left me suddenly a season since 
Seeing his father look strangely upon 



86 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

His mother; for lord Renier's doubt I still 
Have been compelled to feed — to move Yolanda. 
Here in this place then I shall be, at need. 

\_She goes engrossedly. 

Smarda {recalling the pledge; evilly). A-ha! 
ha-ha ! ha-ha ! if she but win ! 
A talisman with might upon the Moor ! 

[Begins to dance — a charm held up before her. 
If she but win ! a-ha ! a curse on him ! 

[Whirls faster with a wild grace, swaying 
to and fro, and chanting softly the 
while, till suddenly a laugh in the cor- 
ridor stops her, and Pietro is heard 
through the curtains adoring Civa, 
who pushes him into the Hall, then 
runs away laughing. 

Pietro (after her). Hold, fair one ! Stay! You 
look on Pietro 
Of Venice ! Pietro ! 
Smarda (to herself). A-ha . . . ha-ha! 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 87 

Pietro (turning). It is the slave! (Grandly.) 

I greet you, slave. 
Smarda. Greeting ! 

Pietro. I, Pietro, who, as you know, am sought 
By all the loveliest 

Attending on the lords and high of Venice. 
Smarda. So ! ... So ! 

Pietro. " The gentle Pietro," they say. 

You may remember. 
Smarda, So. 

Pietro, " Proud Pietro ! " 

And then they sigh. 
Smarda, So. 

Pietro, Then they weep and pine — 

" For Pietro " — until I must console them. 

Smarda (going to where he poses; contemptu- 
ously). And for all this, O prince of para- 
mours, 

{^Spurns him. 

My lady no doubt has bid you to sail from Venice? 
Pietro. Eh ? 



88 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Smarda, Eh ! And she will hear no doubt with 

love 

That you delay the powers of the Senate 

Sent in your keeping to her? 

Pietro. Slave! . . . (alarmed) the papers? 

Smarda. With love and with delight? since she 

awaits them? 

With joy? When told your amorous mouthings 

yonder ? 

Pietro. Slave, she must never ! You will take 

them to her ! 

[Fumbles for papers. 

In to her . . . quickly ! . . . 

Dear slave, you will — and say if she inquire 

That I was led astray 

By the little Cyprian with guiling eyes 

Who fell enamoured of me at the gate. 

Smarda. Civa ! 

Pietro. The same ! I sought to run away, 

[Still searching. 
O slave, say to her, but I could not for — 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 89 

For — for a lady by the marble knight, 

That is, by the fountain, swooned, as I came in. 

And then — 

Smarda. Swooned ! 

Pietro, As I came ! 

Smarda (a-quiver). Beside the fount? 

Who? which? lady Yolanda? lady Berengere? 

IHe stares at her ardour. 

Did no one say ? . . . My mistress must know this ! 
The papers, quickly ! 
Pietro, Slave, you ! By my sins ! 

IShe has seised them swiftly, and gone. 
He follows amazed. Then sunset he- 
gins without, crimson and far; and 
Amaury appears from the loggia, 
reckless and worn. He pauses, looks 
about him, troubled, 

'Amaury. Not here yet. . . . There is more in 
this than seems. 

{Goes to divan and sits, Vittia enters behind. 



90 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

More, Camarin of Paphos, than is clear! 

[Starts up. 

And she must tell me! (Sees Vittia.) Lady, you 
I mean. 

[Vittia advances inquiringly. 

What is beyond this shame upon Yolanda? 

Vittia. My lord ? 

Amaury. What ! It is moving in me clouded. 
Deeper than sight but pressing at my peace. 
My father's look ! you saw it ! 

Vittia. Ah ! 

Amaury. And saw 

Fear in my mother! 

Vittia. Yes, implanted deep. 

Amaury. And did not wonder? 

Vittia (sits). When I knew its source? 

No need, my lord — though your pang too I marked — 
For, trust me, ere to-morrow all will cease — 
If you are firm. 

Amaury. I? who know nought? In what? 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 91 

Vittia, That do not ask, I pray. {Deftly.) An- 
other could 
Fitly reply, but I 

Amaury. No other better ! 

Vittia. Then ... it will cease, my lord — 
So as a flail of doubt it should not still 
Beat in you — when Yolanda 
Is wed with Camarin . . . no, do not speak; 
The reason for your sake I must withhold. 

Amaury. Though as under sirocco I am kept. 

[Sits. 
Sirocco ! ... It is unintelligible ! 

[Rises. A pause. 
Yet you speak gently. 

Vittia. No; unblushingly ! 

[He looks surprised, 

Unblushingly to one who knows — though by 
A chance — my love to him — my lowered love. 

[Turns away. 
And yet I cannot rue 

That he awaking sudden from the potion 



92 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Surprised yearning and truth upon my lips. 

No, and I would that gentle words might be 

As waters of enchantment on his grief. — 

But of Yolanda — 

[Rises. 

Amaury. Still I love her, still ! 

Vittia (strainedly) . As well she knows, so may 
refuse to wed 
With Camarin. 

Amaury. She ? 

Vittia. Since you are Lusignan, 

Heir of a sceptred line. 
And yet may reach — the realm. 

Amaury (pierced). Which ... do you mean. 
She hopes of? 

Vittia. Were it folly to make sure? 

lA pause. 

Amaury. How? speak. 

Vittia. Again unshameful? No; one thing 

Alone would serve you. That I must not bring 
My tongue to falter. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 93 

Amaury. Be it so. 

Vittia» And yet . . . 

[He has turned away. 

Yet I must bend to ! and, my lord, I will ! 

Will . . . for you suffer ! 

Will, though indelicacy seem to soil 

Whatever bloom I boasted. 

[Goes to him. 

It is this: 
To let her . . . but for to-day . . . 
Think you . . . for she's aware of my affection . . . 
Have chosen — to wed me. 

Amaury. You ! 

Vittia. For to-day. 

To-morrow I return to Venice, then 
Denial. 

Amaury {moved). Lady — ? 

Vittia. I will bear it. 

Amaury, . . . Thus? 

{Struggles. 



94 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Then it shall be. And grateful I'll await 
The issue's utterance. And stay, wear this — 

\_Takes off a ring. 
From her dead father's hand — 
As a proof to her of any tie soever. 
But now — for the sails make home along the sea — 
Now of my mother. 

Vittia. More, my lord? 

[Smarda glides in. 

Amaury. This only. 

To-morrow when again she . . . Scythian ! 

IT he slave is gleaming strangely. 

Vittia. Smarda ! what do you mean ? why are 

you here? 

l^Sees papers; takes them. 

These — but not th'ese alone have brought you ! 

What? 

[Follows Smarda's eye. 
Of lord Amaury? 

Smarda, Of his mother. 

Vittia. How ! 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 95 

Smarda. She swooned of terror at the castle 
gate. 
She lies in danger. Hear — ^'twas as she fled 
The lord of Lusignan. 

Amaury. My father? 

Smarda. He. 

And you are sought below, I heard it said: 
Some officer of Famagouste — and men. 

[Amaury turns dazed and goes. 

Vittia {through a surge of thoughts that have 

darkened her face). 
This is again fortune ! . . . fortune ! 
Smarda. Lady ? 

Vittia. Is ! though an instant since it seemed 

disaster. 
Smarda. And how? 

Vittia. Yolanda, does not know? nothing? 

Smarda. Nothing. She was returning from the 

rocks. 

Where nest the windy gulls, 

[^Gloatingly. 



96 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

As I came hither. I stole there at noon 
To see her suffer. 

Vittia. Then — I can compel her. 

She will come here. Go to the curtains, see. 
If she is near, the Paphian is in 
The bower by the cypress: there, tell him. 
The loggia — at once . . . Ah ! 

YoLANDA enters. 

Yolanda {to herself). "Ah" indeed. 

IHer look of purpose changes to one of 
distrust. But she firmly fronts to Vit- 
tia, as the slave slips out. 

Vittia. My gratitude! I wished, and you are 

here. 
Yolanda. And — for some reason of less honour 

— you. 
Vittia. I, a dear guest ? fa ! 
Yolanda. Would you were ! . . . not one 

This ne'er-before-envenomed air would banish. 

[Slowly. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 97 

One whose abiding 

These walls would loathe aloud — had they a 

tongue 
To utter. 

Vittia. Yet I may be mistress of them, 
Ere all is done — since still it is my purpose. 

Yolanda. Gulfs wide as the hate of God for in- 
famy 
Would lie preventing; so there is no fear. 

ISits. 
Vittia. A prophesy ! 

Yolanda. A deeper than disdain. 

Vittia. Or than your love of Camarin of 
Paphos ! 

Yolanda. Which you would feign, but cannot. 

Vittia. Still, before 

Evening is done, you will become his wife. 

Yolanda. If, ere it come, all under Lusignan 
Do not look scorn on Vittia Pisani. 

[Rises. 
Vittia. What! how? 



98 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Yolanda. Plentiful scorn! {With joy.) A 
thing may still 
Be done to lift my hope out of this ruin ! 
To bring Amaury grateful to my feet ! 
And I will do it. 

Vittia. Tell? . . . vowing him first 

To win his father's lenience ? . . . No ... I see ! 
You will when she who's guilty 
And this enamoured Paphian are fled ! 

[Yolanda turns pale. 

When they are fled ! ha . . . And it is too late. 

Yolanda. Too — ? {stunned). You by a trick — 
some trick have — ! 

Vittia. Hindered ? Little 

I needed . . . Her wings are flightless. She is ill, 
Verging — go learn! — to death. 

Yolanda. Oh . . . ! 

Vittia. To the grave. 

And you alone, she knows, can put it far — 
Since she is numbed and drained 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 99 

Momently by the terror of her husband, 
Whose every pulse seems to her a suspicion. 

Yolanda, And it is you . . . you who have 
urged again 
His doubt that would have sunk ! 

Vittia. It was enough 

Merely to sigh — and fear her innocence 
Can only seem' simple as dew again 
If you wed freely Camarin of Paphos. 

Yolanda. And that you could ! though in her 
heart remorse 
Trampled and tore ! 

Though with the wounds of battle he you " love " 
Is livid still. 

Vittia. And grieves ? — Be comforted ! 

For he is — now security has come. 

[Shows the ring; Yolanda falls hack. 
As he is, do not fear. 

Yolanda. Amaury ! . . . Oh ! 

My father's gift — so desecrated? So? — 
Ah, you are merciless ! 

Lore 



loo YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Vittia. Only aware 

How to compel your pity to my ends; 
For you will spare his mother. 

Yolanda. Yielding — still, 

And past all season of recovery? 
Shattering love for ever at my feet? 
No, you are duped. For empty, cold are the 

veins 
Now of submission in me; numb and dead 
The pleading of it. And upon you, back, 
I cast the burden of your cruelty. 

ISlowly. 
And — if she dies in terror of the lips 
Of Renier Lusignan — on your peace 
The guilt be! 

Vittia. Fa. 

Yolanda. The heaping mass of horror ! 

Vittia (moved). Liar, on her own; for she has 
sinned. 

Yolanda. And suffered ! 

But you 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS loi 

Vittia. I say her own. I've done no crime. 

And you will wed him. 

Yolanda. Or, . . . Venetian — 

Wed you to Remorse ! 
For there at the gates that guard your rest you 

hear 
Dim now the risen phantom cries of it, 
The presage beat of them like hungry hands 
That will overwhelm you ! 
All that I could to spare her I have done ; 
All that was duty and of love the most. 
But you it was who struck and kindled first 
Within lord Renier fire of suspicion. 
And you it is — 

Since in the worst that live there yet is heaven ! — 
Must null his doubt and ease the sobbing ebb 
And flood of her sick spirit; you who must 
Go to his fear and with persuasion say 
That it is folly of him and of you 
So to suspect her, since in Camarin's 
Arms I was found. You will ! 



I02 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Vittia, And — then go pray? 

\_Draws out the papers scornfully. 

Rather I'll bring you this: — Authority 

Sent me of Venice 

To make Amaury lordly over Cyprus, 

Or to abase him even of Famagouste; 

Which I will do— 

[Goes to her. 

Unless I have the pledge that you will wed, 
Though not to be his wife and free to leave him. 
This Paphian, 
And with him from Lusignan hence will pass. 

[Camarin appears on loggia. 

And he has come now for your answer. 

Yolanda. Here ! 

In league with you ! in this ! 

Vittia. Most loyally; 

And ready skilfully to disavow, 
With every force, your innocence — if you 
Attempt betrayal ! — 



YOL'ANDA OF CYPRUS 103 

Enter, my lord of Paphos — I have spoken. 

[Camarin enters desperately. 
But she has pledged no further — though the Hfe 
Of Berengere Lusignan fall for it. 
And though Amaury . . . But you may avail. 

[Moves off. YoLANDA stands silently be- 
tween them. Camarin looks at her, 
falters, then turns on Vittia. 
Camarin. As an anchorite covets, Venetian, 
Immortal calm, I crave and covet this ! 
Yet ... I will not entreat it of her more. 
Vittia. What ! 
Camarin. Fate may fall. I swore in dread, but 

will not ! 
Yolanda (low). Madonna! 
Vittia. You refuse? 

Yolanda. He does. 

Vittia. The whole? 

Yolanda. Lady of Venice, yes ; for very shame ! 

\With deep joy. 
Bitterly tho' it be, he must, for shame ! 



I04 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

For though he would waste the air of the world to 

keep 
The breath still in the veins 
Of her his love so wronged, 
He cannot ask me more than breast can bear — 
Knowing I have already borne for her 
Infection worse than fetid marshes send 
From Mesaoria — 

Have lost the sky of love that I had arched 
And all the stars of it. See, he is dumb ! — 
He cannot. 

Camarin (coldly). No; but to your heart I 
leave her 
And to your pity. 

Yolanda. Say not pity to me ! 

[^The word overwhelms her anew. 
Am I not needy, fain of it, and can 
Endurance ever dure ! 
What have I left . . . 
Of joy to ripple in me or of light 
To sway me to forgetting — I to whom 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 105 

Dawn was enchanted incense once, and day, 
The least of earth, an ides of heaven bliss. 
What to me left ! to me ! 
Who shepherded each happy flock of waves 
Running with silvery foaming there to shore, 
Who numbered the little leaves with laughing 

names 
Out of my love, 
And quickened the winds with quicker winds of 

hope, 
That now are spent ... as summer waters. 
Leaving my breast a torrent's barren bed. 
Pity and pity ! ever pity ! No. 

[Enter Hassan. 
A nun to pity I will be no more. 
But you, cruel Venetian . . . Ah, ah. 
Mother of God ! is there no gentleness 
In thee to move her and dissolve away 
This jeopardy congealing over us? 

lA pause, 
Vittia. You see, none. 



io6 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Yolanda. Ah, for sceptre and for might 

Then to compel you. 

Vittia. Still, there is none. 

Yolanda, None . . . 

ISinks to a seat in despair. 

Yet could I think! 

Hassan, Lady Yolanda — 

\^Advances. 

Yolanda. Were 

My brain less weary ! 
Hassan. Lady Yolanda — 

Yolanda. Well? 

Hassan. There is a means — a might, 
Yolanda. Well? 

lis half heedless. 
Hassan. To compel her. 

Yolanda. To . . . what? 

Hassan. If you will dare it. 

Yolanda. Will—? 

\_Rises. 
Hassan. I swear. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 107 

Yolanda. Your thought! I have no fear. 

Hassan. Then ... let me but 

Seize her and shut her fast an hour within 
The leprous keep, and she shall write whate'er 
You order; then upon a vessel quick 
Be sent to Venice whence she came. 

Camarin. Mad ! mad ! 

Venice would rise ! 

Hassan. And Cyprus, to be free ! — 

But 'tis not, lady ! and lord Renier 
Shall have a letter of her guile and flight. 
Venture it, venture ! 

Yolanda {after a long pause). If it can be done. 
It shall be. 

Hassan. Ah ! 

Yolanda. And must be. 

Vittia. Fools, to me! 

{She stands defensive, as Hassan prepares to 
close in. 

Yolanda. Quickly, and take her. 

Hassan. Now. 



xo8 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Camarin {with sudden horror). No! . . . Sate- 
less God ! 

{His eyes are fixed on the balcony. All 
look, appalled. For slowly down the 
steps comes Renier following Be- 
RENGERE^ whose cycs turn hack in -flut- 
tering trance upon him. 

Yolanda. Ah ! ... he will kill her ! Stop, my 
lord ! mother ! 
Lord Renier ! 

[Runs; takes Berengere in her arms. 

Cold is she, stony pale, 
And sinking ! ... Go away from her, go, go ! 

Renier. No . . . she shall tell me. 

Yolanda. Mother ! . . . Tell you that 

You are her murderer? 

Renier. The truth ! 

Yolanda. The truth ! 

{Laughs bitterly, and at a loss, as if amazed. 
Then, almost against her will — 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 109 

It is suspicion ! is that mad suspicion 
That you have had of her. 

Renier. It is ! It is ! 

Yolanda. And — all because I have these days 
delayed 
To wed with Camarin. 

Renier. Delayed ? 

Yolanda. Because 

I show befitting shame that I was here 
Found in his arms . . . when to Amaury 
I was betrothed ! 

Renier. Power of — ! — No! 

Yolanda. Because 

I grieve to leave Lusignan, this my home — 
Where I have dwelt as under tented love — 
Though I am bidden. 

Renier. This can be? 

Berengere {faintly). Yolanda! 

Renier. I say — only delayed? and you — ? 

Yolanda. Yes, yes. 

Now I will wed him, heedless, wantless, wild. 



no YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Send for the priest and for Amaury, for 
Laughter and lights and revelry — for all 
Within this castle. But first to her bed, 
And to tranquillity, 

She must be borne, she your cold violenc 
Has driven here. . . . Alessa — Tremitus ! 

[They have entered. 

Lead her within. O mother ! piteous mother ! 

Ah, it was ruthless, kindless ! 
Renter. We shall see. 

\To Hassan. 

Bid Moro and Amaury. — As for her, 
I soon may come and seek forgiveness. 
Berengere, No ! 

[Hassan goes. 

My brain and breath ! . . . the pall . . . where am 

I . . . how 
Long must I lie ! . . . 

Tremitus. She speaks to visions. So, 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS iii 

So can the blood do — ^trick us utterly ! 

[He supports her — with Alessa — slowly 
up steps and off. Yolanda covers her 
eyes. Hassan returns with Moro, 
then, and with Amaury, whose look 
seeks ViTTiA. 
Yolanda (as all stand silent). Speak, speak, and 

tell him ! 
Renier. Yes, Amaury . . . you 

Are sent for to behold Yolanda wed. 
As you commanded, 

Here unto Camarin. Shame has till now 
Withheld her, but . . . what ails you? 

Amaury. On; go on. 

The sudden blood up to my wounds. 

Renier. It has, 

I say, withheld her. But she now has chosen. 
Amaury. So; and ... it is well. And here are 
her 
Vows I have kept — 

[Takes a packet from his breast. 



112 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Vows and remembrances ... I shall aspire — 

[Hands it; she lets it fall. 
That I may loathe her not o'ermuch; and to 
Muffle my sword from him that now she weds. 

{His voice breaks tonelessly. 
Come, let it be. 

Yolanda. Amaury ! 

Amaury (angrily). Priest, be brief! 

MoRO (before them; as Caramin takes Yo- 
landa's hand). 
The Church invests me, and the powers of 
This island, here to make you man and wife. 
Be joined, ye who have sinned, 
In soul, peace and repentances for ever. 

[He signs the cross. Yolanda stands 
dazed. A silence. Then a shudder- 
ing cry and all turn toward the bal- 
cony, where Alessa bursts, pale and 
wild and striving to speak. 

Yolanda (with dread, awe, premonition) . Alessa ! 
Alessa. Lady Yolanda ! you have wed him ? 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 113 

Yolanda (pausing). Yes. 

Alessa. Lady Berengere is dead. 

Yolanda. No! ... No! 

[Chokes rebelliously. 

It cannot be ! mother ! cannot I awake her ! 
And tell her I have wed him ! mother ! cannot ! 

[Goes trembling, helieUessly, up the bal- 
cony. A strange doubt seises Am- 
AURY. On the rest is silence, conster- 
nation, and fear. 

Curtain 



ACT IV 



Scene : The Chapel of the Castle — or Chapel of the 
Magdalen — a few hours later. It is of stone, 
low-arched, gloomy, and adorned with Byzan- 
tine mosaics of gaunt saints on backgrounds 
of gold. The altar is in the rear, and above 
it a large window, through which pours the 
still moon. In front of it, to either side, rise 
two pillars supporting the roof, and on one 
of them, halfway up, stands a stone image of 
the Magdalen. Forward are two other pillars 
whose bases form seats. The right wall has, 
set midway, a large door hung with heavy cur- 
tains. In the rear are smaller doors leading 
to a sacristy. The altar lamp and a few tapers 
burn. Alessa enters, rubbing her eyes as if to 
clear them of vision, looks around, then calls 
uncertainly — 



ii8 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Alessa. Good father ! Father Moro ! ... He is 

not here. 

{^Ruhs her eyes again. 

The dead are strange ! I knew not of their power. 
It is as if her spirit still imprisoned 
Hovered beneath the pallor of her face 
And strove to speak. Good father ! 

[Enter Moro. 

Ah, you were 
There in the sacristy. 

Moro. Yes. Your desire? 

Alessa. The acolytes summoned from Fama- 
gouste 
To aid your rites before her burial 
Have come, and wait. 

Moro. Send hither two. 

[Looks closely at her. 

Alessa. At once. 

[Is going. He stops her. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 119 

Moro. Woman, this passes silence. There must 
be 
Some question. Do you understand this wedding? 
The evil that has risen in this house? 
Do you? 

Alessa. I may not speak. 

Moro, And wherefore may not? 

Alessa. I may not. It is best. 

Moro. As says Yolanda, 

Who is to-day impenetrable in all. 
But who, now, in a lofty grief above 
The misery that blasted her, seems calm, 
And answers only, — 
" God in His season will, 
I trust, unfold it soon ; I cannot, now ! " . . . 
And yet I heard 

Her darkly bid the Paphian be gone 

From here — without her. 

'Alessa. And he would not? 

Moro. No. 

Does she not see Amaury dangerous 



I20 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

For truth — which you conceal? 

Alessa. The acolytes 

Are waiting. 

Moro. Go . . . But if this hour brings forth 
What you shall rue 

Alessa. Father ! 

l^Goes quickly, troubled. 

Moro. In blindness still ! 

For Vittia Pisani, who alone 
Seems with these twain to share this mystery 
Is silent to all importunity. 
Oh, Berengere Lusignan ! — 

But, 'tis mine 
To pray and to prepare. (Listens.) The acolytes. 
ITwo enter, sleek, sanctimonious. 
{To Them.) Come here . . . You're Serlio, 
Of the Ascension. You? 

2nd Acolyte. Hilarion. 

From Santa Maria by the Templars' well, 
Which God looks on with gratitude, father. 
For though we're poor and are unworthy servants 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 121 

We've given willingly our widow's mite. 
And now we . . . 

Moro, You are summoned to this place 

For ministrations other than the tongue's. 
Prepare that altar — masses for the dead. 

Hilarion. Man is as grass that withers ! 

Moro, Kindle all 

Its tapers. The departed will be borne 
Hither for holy care and sacred rest. 
So do — ^then after 

Look to that image of the Magdalen, 
Once it has fallen. 

Serlio. Domine, dirige ! 

[Moro goes. They put off cant and set to 
work. 

Hilarion {insolently, lighting a taper). 
We'll have good wine for this ! 

Serlio. The Chian ! Hee ! 

None's like the Chian ! and to-morrow, meat ! 
Last week old Ugo died and we had pheasant. 



122 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Hilarion. When we are priests we'll give no 
comforting 
To wife or maid — till we have sipped ! 

Serlio. And supped ! 

Though 'tis a Friday and the Pope is dead! 

{^Silence. They work faster. 

Hilarion. There, it is done. Now to the image. 

\_Mounts pillar^ 
Serlio. Well, 

Olympio, the cock who fetched us, said 

That image fell first on the day 

Hilarion. Tchuck ! tchuck ! 

Better no breath about that lord of Paphos, 
Or any here. For till the dead are three 
Days gone, you know — ! But there's the woman. 
Feign. 

[^As Alessa re-enters; hypocritically. 

The blessed dead ! in Purgatory may 
They briefly bide. 

Serlio. Aye ! aye ! 

Alessa (still troubled). What say you? 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 123 

Hilarion. Ah ! 

I lay that it is wiser never to foul 
The dead, even in thinking. 
For they may hear us, none can say, and once 
My mother saw a dead man) who had gone 
Unsh riven start up white and cry out loud 
When he was curst. 

Serlio. O Lord ! 

Alessa {staring). No! . . . Well, such things 

There are perchance. And now they say that Venus, 
The Anadyomene, who once ruled this isle. 
Is come again. . . . But you have finished? Soon 
They bring her body here. 

Hilarion. Now have I, now ! 

It will not totter again. 

{^Descends. 

Alessa. Would that it might 

Upon the head of {catches herself; calmly) 

You are awaited 
There in the sacristy. . . . The chant begins ! 

\The acolytes go. She grows more disquieted. 



124 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Begins ! and lady Yolanda still awaits 
Heedless, though Lord Amaury's desperate, 
As is the Paphian ! . . . They near ! . . . The cur- 
tains ! 

[Goes to door and draws them hack. As 
she does so the chant swells louder. 
Then the cortege enters — Moro, the 
acolytes with tapers; Berengere on a 
litter, Amaury, Renier, Vittia, the 
women, Hassan, and last Yolanda. 
The litter, Amaury by it, comes to 
the altar; the chanting ceases. 

Moro {as Amaury hows, shaken). 
No moan or any toil of grief be here 
Where we have brought her for sainted appeal. 
But in this holy place until the tomb 
Let her find rest. 

Amaury. Set down the bier. 

[// is placed. 

Moro. Lone rest ! 

Then bliss Afar for ever ! 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 125 

Amaury (rises). Be it so! 

{^Turning; brokenly. 
But unto any, mother, who have brought thee 
Low to this couch, be never ease again. 
To any who have put thy life out, never ! 
But in them be the burning that has seemed 
To shrivel thee — whether with pain or fear ! 
And be appeaseless tears, 
Salt tears that rust the fountain of the heart. 

ISinks to a seat. A pause. 

Moro. My son, relentless words. 

Amaury {up again). To the relentless! 

Moro. God hear you not ! 

Amaury. Then is He not my God. 

Moro. Enough, enough. {To the rest.) But 
go and for her soul 
Freight all of you this tide of night with prayer. 

Amaury. Never ! 

Moro. I bid. 

Amaury. And I forbid those who 

Have prized her not ! 



126 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

For though nought's in the world but prayer may 

move. 
Still but the lips that loved her 
Should for her any sin beseeching lift. 

ILooking at Yolanda. 
They and no other ! 

Yolanda. It is well. 

Amaury. Not one. 

Yolanda. Then, mother 

[Goes to bier. 

Amaury. That name again? 

Yolanda. While I have breath. 

[Fixedly. 

Yes, though you hold me purgeless of that sin 

Only the pale archangels may endure 

Trembling to muse on ! 

Or though yon image of the Magdalen, 

Whose alabaster broke amid her tears 

And her torn hair, forbade me with a voice. 

And you, whose heart is shaken 

As in a tomb a taper's flame, would know 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 127 

I speak with love. 

Camarin. Unswerving love. 

Amaury. Then, by- 

Christ, and the world that craves His blood, I think 
She, if she would, or you, could point to me, 
Or you, Vittia Pisani, 
The reason of this sudden piteous death 
Hard on the haunted flight before my father. 
Whose lips refuse. 

Camarin, She knows no shred of it. 

Amaury. You lie to say it. 

Camarin. Then will, still — if there 

Is need. 

Amaury. Because you love her? 

Yolanda. Peace, peace, peace. 

Amaury. A hollow word for what had never 
being. 

Yolanda. Look on her face and see. 

Amaury (at bier). Upon her face! 

Where not oblivion the void of death 
Has hid away, or can, the agony 



128 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Of her last terror — but it trembles still. 

I tell you, no. Grief was enough, but now 

Through it has risen mystery that chokes 

As a miasma from Iscariofs tomb. 

And till this pall of doubt be rent away 

No earth shall fall and quicken with her dust ! 

But I will search her face . . . till it reveals. 

Camarin. He raves. 

Amaury. Iscariot ! yes ! 

Yolanda. Again, peace, peace ! 

Amaury. That you may palter! 

Yolanda {gently). That she may not grieve. 

YGoes again to bier. 

For — if her soul is near — it now is wrung. 

Near ! would it were to hear me and impart 

Its yearning and regret to us who live, 

Its dim unhappiness and hollow want. 

Yes, mother, were you now about us, vain, 

Invisible and without any voice 

To tell us of you ! 

Were you and now could hear through what of cold 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 129 

Or silence wrap you, oh, so humanly, 
And seeming but a veil — 
Then would you hear me say — 

[Suddenly aghast. 
Ah, God ! 
Amaury. - Yolanda ! 

{^She starts back from the bier. 
Yolanda ! 
Renier. Girl, what rends you? 
Yolanda. Saw you not? 

[Rushes to bier and shakes it. 
Mother ! you hear me ? mother ! 
Renier. Girl ! 

Yolanda. She breathes ! 

{Consternation. Some fall to their knees. 

Vittia. What? what? 

Yolanda. Mother ! Her breast ! 

Mother ! She moves ! 
Amaury. God ! God ! 

Yolanda. Stand off from her . . . Mother ! 
Camarin. Her eyes ! . . . 



I30 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

They open ! open ! 

Yolanda. Mother ! . . . 

Amaury. See ; her lips ! 

They strive to speak ! O faintly, O so faint ! 
Can you not hear? 

Berengere. Yolanda ! 

Yolanda. Mother ! 

Berengere. Renier ! 

Renter. Yes, yes? 

Berengere. Yolanda — 

Renier. Speak ! 

Berengere. Christ, save me . . . Christ ! 

Yolanda's innocent, and I . . . 'twas I. 

'Amaury. What? what is it she says? 

Berengere. Camarin ! Ah ! 

[^She shudders and dies, amid low-uttered 
awe. Renier bends, lays his hand a 
moment on her breast, then, with a 
cry of rage, springs from her and 
draws, and rushes on Camarin, who 
awaits him, desperate. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 131 

Amaury {confused, as they engage), 
Yolanda; what is this? 

Yolanda. Amaury, in! 

Compel lord Renier back ! he cannot live, 
You only could against Camarin now ! 
Wait not to question, but obey me ! if — 
You ever — ! (as he rushes in) Holy Magdalen, 
defend him ! 

[Renier falls hack. 

Now, now defend him, if to chastity 

Thou'rt vowed in heaven. 
t 
Vittia. Fool ! . . . Camarin, strike ! 

Yolanda. He's wounded ! 

Camarin. Oh ! . . . Berengere ! . . . treachery ! 

\_He staggers and sinks back heavily toward 
the pillar. There is breathless, strained 
suspense. Then the image above, un- 
settled and shaken by his fall, sways, 
totters and crushes upon him. A cry, 
" The Magdalen ! " goes up around. 



132 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Hassan (hurrying to him; after awe and silence). 
He's dead. 

Alessa. The Magdalen ! 

Hassan. No breath in him. 

lA pause. 

Renter (low, harshly). 
Bear him without then ever from this place. 
That never more shall know a holy rite — 
And from these gates, I care not to what tomb. 

ITo Amaury. 
Then shall you hear this mystery's content. 
That still as a madness measures to your sight. 
Bear him without. 

[The limp body is borne away. All follow but 
Amaury, Yolanda, Renier. 

Now you shall hear, with shame, 

But with exalted pride and happy tears ; 

Then come obliteration ! 

Speak, girl . . . Nobility 

Had never better title to its truth. 

[Kisses her hand and goes. 



YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 133 

Amaury. Yolanda! . . . He? . . . This rever- 
ence as to 
An angel ? Speak ! 

Yolanda. Amaury 

Amaury. O pause not ! 

Yolanda. Then — to save her who's dead — from 
death and shame, 
I took her place within the Paphian's arms. 

Amaury. O ! . . . and by me, driven by me, 

bore this? 

{^Overcome. 

Pure as the rills of Paradise, endured? 

Yolanda. For you ! — and her who sleeps for- 
given there, 

IRaptly. 

Now while her spirit weightless overwingeth 
Night, to that Throne whose seeing heals all shame ! 
For her I did ! but oh, for you, whose least 
Murmur to me is infinite with Spring, 
Whose smile is light, filling the air with dawn. 
Whose touch, wafture of immortality 



134 YOLANDA OF CYPRUS 

Unto my weariness; and whose eyes, now, 
Are as the beams God hfted first, they tell us, 
Over the uncreated. 

In the far singing mother-dawn of the world ! — 
Come with me then, but tearless, to her side. 

[They go to the bier and stand as in a 
dream, A pause; then her lips move, 
last, as if inspired. 

While there is sin to sway the soul and sink it. 
Pity should be as strong as love or death ! 

[With a cry of joy he enfolds her, and 
they kneel, wrapped about with the 
clear moon. 



THE END 



APR 18 1908 



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